Online Support

Understanding your pathology report

Decision Making
Decision support tool to help understand your treatment options and possible side effects.

Assess Breast Cancer Treatment Options

Breast cancer quiz

Cancer Home
Cancer Home provides individualized cancer predictions including the chance of recurrence and survival for ten cancers and their therapies. This allows cancer patients to compare the benefit of each treatment and select the most effective therapy.

Young Survival Coalition
The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the only international, non-profit network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to the concerns and issues that are unique to young women and breast cancer. Through action, advocacy and awareness, the YSC seeks to educate the medical, research, breast cancer and legislative communities and to persuade them to address breast cancer in women 40 and under. The YSC also serves as a point of contact for young women living with breast cancer.

Amazon Heart
Amazon Heart was founded in 2004 by two young breast cancer survivors, Megan Dwyer and Meredith Campbell. Amazon Heart is a vibrant community that empowers women living with breast cancer through peer support, information and advocacy.

"We are a community founded by and for women living with breast cancer. Sharing the journey provides each of us with the resources we need to cope and move on with our own lives as well as the opportunity to support other women and create systemic change."

They have written a book, " Amazon Heart - Coping With Breast Cancer Warrior Princess Style" is a unique conversation between two young women coping with breast cancer.

In a real-time format, through email and live conversations, the book explores key aspects of the journey, including not only diagnosis and treatment, but also the emotional challenges of negotiating a life beyond.


Reach to Recovery
American Cancer Society's program to match young with other young women who are similar to them in terms of diagnosis, type of surgery and/or treatment. They may also match women who have common concerns, such as how to deal with breast cancer as a single woman, or as mother of young children.

"You are not alone. A Guide and Resource Directory for Young Women with Breast Cancer." American Cancer Society and Young Survival Coalition. Call 1.800.ACS.2345 (www.cancer.org) for copy.

Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE)
Organization providing support and information to women and families at high risk for developing breast cancer. 954.255.8732

FertileHOPE
A fertility preservation resource for patients whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility.

Pregnant with Cancer 1.800.743.6724 ext, 308

Sharsheret
Resources for Jewish women in 20s and 30s fighting breast cancer. Pairs young women in similar circumstances.

Susan Love MD

Boarding for Breast Cancer
B4BC was established in 1994 by a group of young women, including two of the world's top pro snowboarders in memory of a friend and prominent figure in the snowboarding industry who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 26 and died at 29. In her memory the B4BC Snowboard + Music Festival was born.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer

Kids Connected
Books and materials, free of charge, to parents dealing with a cancer diagnosis and their children.

Survivor stories

Gallery of young survivors - photos and links to stories

Survivor stories (YSC)

Support groups, forums, educational sites

NABCO - How to Find a Breast Cancer Support Group Listing by state.

Breast Cancer Online Support Group See Young Survivor's Board, for women 35 and under.

Breast Cancer Prevention Summaries of the latest research concerning breast cancer prevention.

BreastDoc.com is an educational web site where the latest information on new techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, as well updates on risk-reduction may be found. Dr. Deborah Axelrod is active nationally and in the community, dedicated to educating the public about breast cancer and the need to take an active role in one's own health care.

Canary Foundation is a California nonprofit organization, dedicated to reducing the impace of cancer by supporting efforts to establish new tools for early detection of the disease. Research efforts are guided by Scientific Advisory Board, including Nobel laureate Dr. Lee Hartwell and other leading researchers in the early detection field.

Imaginis The goal of Imaginis.com is to provide women and their physicians with the most comprehensive and relevant information on breast health and related women's health issues. Imaginis content is created by an independent team of breast health specialists to ensure it that is up-to-date and accurate. Complicated medical terms are explained in everyday language to help individuals understand their options, make informed decisions and achieve optimal health.

Susan Love MD

Mothers Supporting Daughters with Breast Cancer A forum for women to discussthe difficulties associated with their daughters' diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.exchange ideas regarding coping mechanisms that have been found to be beneficial.

Men Against Breast Cancer is a non-profit organization designed to mobilize and support men as active participants in the fight against breast cancer. MABC leverages this unique approach to generate incremental funding and support toward the goal of eradicating breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. 1.866.547.6222

Lifetime Online Official site of the cable network, packed with information, resources and survivor stories in support of breast health and breast cancer awareness.

Mayo Clinic Early breast cancer - what's best for me? Decision guides

Truesera "Trusera is the place to tap into real world experience about people and their health."

Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization 24 hour support hotline. Resources that deal with variety of issues related to breast cancer and advanced breast cancer.

Work and Career

There are laws today that offer protection to individuals dealing with an illness who want to secure their jobs. Three laws are especiailly important.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires employers who have over 50 employees to grant up to 12 weeks unpaid leave to individuals dealing with a serious illness. The law also allows individuals to take the same amount of time off to care for a spouse, parent, son or daughter who is dealing with a serious illness. All 12 weeks do not have to be used consecutively, and can be spread out. The FMLA also allows individuals to keep their health insurance while they are out on family leave.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility Act (HIPAA) - protects individuals with cancer and other health conditions against insurance discrimination based on a "pre-existing condition". This law requires that individuals be allowed to change their health insurance coverage from one policy to another without being discriminated or penalized in any way because of a serious problem in their health history.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - requires any business with over 15 employees to work with employees who may have a serious health problem to come up with flexible ways to enable these individuals to perform their jobs in a way that does not pose a threat to their health.

The US Dept. of Labor has a website that provides specific information on each of these laws. Log on to www.dol.gov or call Dept. at of Labor 1.866.4USADOL.

Patient Advocate Foundation Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization that serves as an active liaison between the patient and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters relative to their diagnosis through case managers, doctors and attorneys. Patient Advocate Foundation seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability.

Cancer and Careers What you need to know about your rights in the workplace. How do you navigate the health insurance maze? How can you maximize job security/benefits and minimize stress when dealing with the avalanche of paperwork and red tape that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

Scientific Publications, Clinical Trials

Research - Published studies on young women with breast cancer

Breast Cancer in Young Women: Effect of chemotherapy on ovarian function, fertility, and birth defects

Treating young patients with breast cancer The evidence suggests that all should be treated with adjuvant therapy

Ongoing clinical trials for young women with breast cancer

Acurian - ongoing clinical trials

In the News

Breast CancerNet Latest news on breast cancer research, updated daily. Links to all these stories, along with an archive of of 1,800+ other cancer-related news items, are available 24 hours a day. Register to receive news via email.

Breast Examination

Breast Self Exam

Breast cancer quiz

Fundraisers

In Living Pink

Books/Magazines

Fighting for Our Future : How Young Women Find Strength, Hope, and Courage While Taking Control of Breast Cancer by Beth Murphy, Ann Curry (Introduction), George Sledge

The first comprehensive survival guide for breast cancer in younger women Each year thousands of young women are diagnosed with breast cancer, yet virtually all of the information available on breast cancer focuses on the concerns of older women. Fighting for Our Future is the first comprehensive "survival guide" for young women living with breast cancer, their families, those who care for them, and young women with a family history of cancer who need to be aware of their risks, not only as older women but also right now. This important book provides a close look at vital issues for this community, including: * Fertility, pregnancy, and breast-feeding * Effects of treatment on an active lifestyle * Sexuality and dating With strong medical backing from a medical advisory board, including George Sledge, M.D., director of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation; Jeanne Petrek, M.D., of Memorial Sloan-Kettering; and Harold Burstein, Ph.D., M.D., of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, this text is packed with information that is vital to understanding the complexities of breast cancer. A companion book to an hour-long documentary film airing on Lifetime Television in October 2002, and released in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fighting for Our Future will be a welcome weapon of awareness for all women­­one that is greatly needed in the battle against this disease.

Mamm Magazine - a magazine devoted to meeting the needs of women diagnosed with breast and reproductive cancer, as well for everyone whose lives have been touched by cancer—directly or indirectly.

Bosom Buddies : Lessons and Laughter on Breast Health and Cancer , by Rosie O'Donnell and Deborah Axelrod

Don't Let the Cat Get Your Wig...and Other Things the Oncologist Never Told You by Lauren Brower
Lauren Brower is a Breast Cancer Survivor living in Charlotte, NC. She was diagnosed at age 34 when her husband discovered a lump on their anniversary. After undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, her cancer is assumed to be currently in remission.

Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book (3nd Edition, Sept. 2000)

Facing Fear: A Young Woman's Personal Account of Surviving Breast Cancer Nancy Mikaelian Madey

No Mountain Too High : A Triumph over Breast Cancer : The Story of the Women of Expedition Inspiration (Adventura Books)
Uplift: Secrets from the sisterhood of breast cancer survivors . Barbara Delinsky 2001.

Why I wore lipstick to my mastectomy Geralyn Lucas. Lucas was 27, happily working as a 20/20 producer, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer...

Other books of interest

It's Not About the Bike : My Journey Back to Life by Lance Armstrong, Sally Jenkins (Contributor)

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl, Gordon W. Allport

Toughness Training for Life : A Revolutionary Program for Maximizing Health, Happiness, and Productivity by James E. Leohr, James E. Loehr

Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom

Jewelry, hats, clothing

Pink Ribbon Jewelry

Woman's Survival Bracelet

The Breast Milagro

Soft Hats

Still You Fashions
Still You is a manufacturer who makes post mastectomy fashions geared to the youthful market, tank tops, nightgowns, lace tops, loungewear/summer dresses, all with bilateral pockets.They also make a new prosthesis that is crème filled and can be worn the day after surgery and can be worn
swimming as well. Looks realistic, stays in place and only weighs 6oz.

Shop Well With You

New York City support services

1-800 I'M AWARE The Helpline is available to help empower women and their families by providing them with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about breast health or breast cancer concerns.

Gilda's Club (New York) Free of charge and nonprofit, Gilda's Club offers support and networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events in a nonresidential, home-like setting for people with cancer and their families and friends.

Miracle House is a non-profit organization which provides a beautiful, comfortable and supportive environment for those who are visiting family and friends living with HIV, AIDS, or cancer. Housed in a modern, secure, full-service building, Miracle House provides affordable housing along with the emotional support, family and friends need during such a difficult time. (See newletter article Summer 2000)

SHARE (212) 719-0364 Has support services for women with breast and ovarian cancer.
Cancer Care, Inc. (212) 302-2400 Gives clinics called "Look Good Feel Better" where they give you free makeup and teach you how to use it. They also give out free wigs.

updated 3/27/08

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